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Advocates urge passing of safety advances in bill

Created: Monday, June 11th, 2012 04:01 pm

By June 30, the current federal transportation bill will expire, prompting groups of transportation and trucker safety advocates to call upon lawmakers to renew the safety advances in the Senate version of the legislation. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act easily passed through the U.S. Senate with specific provisions for the automobile, motorcoach and trucking industries. Now advocates are waiting for The House of Representatives to pass the measure forward.

The goal of the transportation bill is to save lives, reduce injuries and create more jobs throughout the transportation industry.

"Every surface transportation authorization bill enacted by Congress over the last 21 years has had a strong safety agenda to reduce highway deaths and injuries," said Joan Claybrook, consumer co-chair of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. "It is now time for Congress to pass a bill that moves the bar on basic motor vehicle safety requirements including brake override, electronic data recorders and the operation of keyless ignition systems in an emergency."

The American Trucking Associations is also calling on Congress to ensure the nation's roadways are secure through the passing of the transportation bill. The ATA is also offering lawmakers and transportation industry intelligence and guidelines on ways to remain vigilant and improve security on highways.

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By June 30, the current federal transportation bill will expire, prompting groups of transportation and trucker safety advocates to call upon lawmakers to renew the safety advances in the Senate version of the legislation.